Our Directors

Bob Cox moved to Mexico Beach and joined the MBARA team in 1999. He now lives in St Joe Beach. He served over 30 years in the Air Force and retired at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain and retired PADI SCUBA Instructor. Bob enjoys the outdoors, boating, fishing, underwater photography and spear fishing.

Brian spends his time between Tennessee and Mexico Beach but has been a regular in the area since 2005. Even though he is still working full time, he spends as much time as possible in the area while working with MBARA to grow the memorial reef program. Brian enjoys diving and spearfishing in the local offshore waters.

Carol Cox moved to Mexico Beach with her husband Bob in 1999. They now live in St Joe Beach. She served over 26 years in the Air Force & Air National Guard and retired at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. She is a PADI certified divemaster and enjoys underwater photography. Watch for her photos on the web in the future. Carol also enjoys the outdoors and fishing.

Kimberly, while originally from Detroit, has lived in Nashville for most of her life and is currently splitting her time between Nashville and Port St Joe Beach. She has over 20 years of experience in the media, publishing, and accounting world and has been involved with MBARA since 2007. Kimberly has a love for travel, diving, fishing, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Kathy and her husband, Stephen, fell in love with Mexico Beach in 2013 and purchased a rental property the first weekend they visited. They became permanent Mexico Beach residents in 2020 and have enjoyed being 'locals' ever since. Kathy has a background in accounting and project management and hopes to help continue to grow membership and awareness of MBARA's mission.

Mitch has operated a fishing charter operation from Mexico Beach since retiring in 2007 from a 29-year career in air traffic control. He previously was tournament director of the Bluewater Outriggers Offshore Classic and an IGFA Billfish Tournament Judge. He’s a professional piddler and uses his retirement time to hone that skill while making sure there’s plenty of time for fishing.

Leigh Russell received a dual BS in Psychology and Political Science at Georgia Southern University (GSU). She continued her studies at GSU and became a “double eagle” after earning a MA in Public Administration with a concentration in management. Her passion for sustainability began while working for Bulloch County and with Keep Georgia Beautiful in grad school.